At our welcome back assembly on Monday we launched the Pause Breathe Smile with the whole school taking part in a Mindfulness activity, Hikitia Te Ha (see video above).

Pause Breathe Smile is a New Zealand, research based,  programme which featured in Nigel Latta's series, The Curious Mind. The focus is on self awareness and mindfulness and  research shows this programme improves focus and attention for better learning outcomes which include:

• Increasing calm and student wellbeing
• Enhancing self-awareness and pro-social behaviour
• Reducing test anxiety and boosting resilience
• Decreasing stress and burnout

Teachers across the school will deliver lessons from the programme fortnightly, alternating with the Kiva lessons currently being taught. Across the week they will also include strategies from the lessons such as mindful eating and belly breathing in their everyday programmes.

Some information will be coming home with the oldest child in your family today about a parent programme that is available and there is also a link to this article below.